CANNABIS FACTORY MAN JAILED

A man who converted two rooms of his flat into a cannabis factory has been
sentenced to nine months in prison.

Clayton Jones, 29, and Stephen Ridge, 26, were found to have 59 plants and
hydroponic equipment at their Biggin Hill flat, capable of producing up to
2.8 kilogrammes of high-grade skunk', a class B drug. At Croydon Crown
Court last Friday, both men were convicted of possession and producing a
class B drug after pleading guilty before Bromley magistrates on May 18.

Charges of possession with intent to supply against both men were dropped.
Panel-beater Jones was sentenced to nine months, and three months to be
served concurrently for possessing 3.7g of poor quality cocaine. The
dad-of-one claimed his UKP 150 a week cannabis habit began when his mother
was ill. He admitted setting up the cannabis factory in their jointly-owned
flat in Melody Road, while Ridge was away on holiday. Ridge was sentenced
to 100 hours' community service for knowingly permitting production of
cannabis and cleared of cocaine possession. Sentencing Jones, Judge Thomas
Coningsby said: "Two rooms in the house had been specially adapted and the
production was on a large scale.

This is a serious offence and only a custodial sentence is appropriate." He
told Ridge: "You didn't take part in setting up this factory, but when you
discovered it, you took no steps to stop it, so you have to be punished."
Judge Coningsbury ordered the confiscation of growing equipment and plants.